THE LAND OF MOAB lay east and south-east of the Dead Sea, and chiefly south of the river Arnon. At one period, however, it extended north as far as the Jabbok, and for a long time the region beyond the Jordan opposite Jericho retained the name of " the plains of Moab." The Moabites were gross idolaters, worshipping Chemosh and Baal peor with obscene rites, and sometimes with human sacrifices. On the approach of Israel from Egypt, the Moabites acted with great inhumanity, (Num. 22:24óDeut. 2:8, 9) ; and though God spared them from conquest, he excluded them and their seed even to the tenth generation from the peculiar privileges of His people. The Moabites were descended from Moab, the son of Lot. - Ancient Geography

Moab in Easton's Bible Dictionarythe seed of the father, or, according to others, the
desirable
land, the eldest son of Lot (Gen. 19:37), of
incestuous birth.
(2.) Used to denote the people of Moab (Num. 22:3-
14; Judg.
3:30; 2 Sam. 8:2; Jer. 48:11, 13).
(3.) The land of Moab (Jer. 48:24), called also the
"country
of Moab" (Ruth 1:2, 6; 2:6), on the east of Jordan
and the Dead
Sea, and south of the Arnon (Num. 21:13, 26). In a
wider sense
it included the whole region that had been occupied
by the
Amorites. It bears the modern name of Kerak.
In the Plains of Moab, opposite Jericho (Num. 22:1;
26:63;
Josh. 13:32), the children of Israel had their last
encampment
before they entered the land of Canaan. It was at
that time in
the possession of the Amorites (Num. 21:22). "Moses
went up from
the plains of Moab unto the mountain of Nebo, to the
top of
Pisgah," and "died there in the land of Moab,
according to the
word of the Lord" (Deut. 34:5, 6). "Surely if we had
nothing
else to interest us in the land of Moab, the fact
that it was
from the top of Pisgah, its noblest height, this
mightiest of
the prophets looked out with eye undimmed upon the
Promised
Land; that it was here on Nebo, its loftiest
mountain, that he
died his solitary death; that it was here, in the
valley over
against Beth-peor, he found his mysterious
sepulchre, we have
enough to enshrine the memory in our hearts."http://www.bible-history.com/eastons/M/Moab/

Moab in Fausset's Bible Dictionary("from father"), i.e. the incestuous offspring of Lot's
older daughter, near Zoar, S.E. of the Dead Sea (Genesis
19:37). Originally the Moabites dwelt due E. of the Dead
Sea, from whence they expelled the Emims. Their territory
was 40 miles long, 12 wide, the modern Belka or Kerak
(Deuteronomy 2:10-11). Afterward, Sihon king of the Amorites
drove them S. of the river Amon, now wady el Mojib (Numbers
21:13; Numbers 21:26-30; Judges 11:13; Judges 11:18), which
thenceforward was their northern boundary. Israel was
forbidden to meddle with them (Judges 11:9; Judges 11:19) on
account of the tie of blood through Lot, Abraham's nephew,
for Jehovah gave Ar unto the children of Lot, having
dispossessed the giant Emims. It was only when Moab seduced
Israel to idolatry and impurity (Numbers 25), and hired
Balaam to curse them, that they were excluded from Jehovah's
congregation to the tenth generation (Deuteronomy 23:3-4).
Ammon was more roving than Moab and occupied the pastures to
the N.E. outside the mountains.
Moab was more settled in habits, and remained nearer
the original seat Zoar. Its territory after the Amorite
conquest was circumscribed, but well fortified by nature
(Numbers 21:20, margin); called "the field of Moab" (Rth
1:1-63, and "the corner of Moab" (Numbers 24:17; Jeremiah
48:45). The country N. of Arnon, opposite Jericho reaching
to Gilead, was more open; vast prairie-like plains broken by
rocky prominences; "the land of Moab" (Deuteronomy 1:5;
Deuteronomy 32:49). Besides there was the Arboth Moab,
"plains (rather deep valley) of Moab," the dry sunken valley
of Jordan (Numbers 22:1). Outside of the hills enclosing
Moab proper on the S.E. are the uncultivated pastures called
midbar, "wilderness," facing Moab (Numbers 21:11). Through
it Israel advanced. The song (Exodus 15:15) at the Red Sea
first mentions the nation, "trembling shall take hold upon
... the mighty men of Moab."
Israel's request for a passage through Edom and
Moab, and liberty to purchase bread and water, was refused
(Judges 11:17; Numbers 20:14-21). In Israel's circuitous
march round the two kingdoms they at last, when it suited
their own selfish ends and when they could not prevent
Israel's march, sold them bread and water (Deuteronomy 2:28-
29; Deuteronomy 23:3-4). The exclusion of a Moabite from the
congregation only forbade his naturalization, not his
dwelling in Israel nor an Israelite marrying a Moabitess.
Ruth married Naomi's son, but became a proselyte. The law of
exclusion it is clear could never have been written after
David's time, whose great grandmother was a Moabitess.
Israel was occupying the country N. of Arnon which Moab had
just lost to Sihon, and which Israel in turn had wrested
from him, and with its main force had descended from the
upper level to the Shittim plains, the Arboth Moab, in the
Jordan valley, when Balak, alarmed for his already
diminished territory, induced the Midianite "elders" to join
him and hired Balak; virtually, though never actually,
"warring against Israel" (Joshua 24:9; Judges 11:25).
The daughters of Moab, mentioned in Numbers 25:1,
were those with whom Israel "began whoredom," but the main
guilt was Midian's, and on Midian fell the vengeance
(Numbers 25:16-18; Numbers 31:1-18). Moab's licentious rites
furnished the occasion, but Midian was the active agent in
corrupting the people. Balak (contrast, "the former king of
Moab," Numbers 21:26) was probably not hereditary king but a
Midianite; the Midianites taking advantage...http://www.bible-history.com/faussets/M/Moab/

Moab in Naves Topical Bible1. Son of Lot
Ge 19:37
-2. Plains of
Israelites come in
De 2:17,18
Military forces numbered in
Nu 26:3,63
The law rehearsed in, by Moses
Nu 35; 36; De 29; 30; 31; 32; 33
The Israelites renew their covenant in
De 29:1
The land of promise allotted in
Jos 13:32http://www.bible-history.com/naves/M/MOAB/

Moab in Smiths Bible Dictionary(of his father), Mo'abites. Moab was the son of the Lot's
eldest daughter, the progenitor of the Moabites. Zoar was
the cradle of the race of Lot. From this centre the brother
tribes spread themselves. The Moabites first inhabited the
rich highlands which crown the eastern side of the chasm of
the Dead Sea, extending as far north as the mountain of
Gilead, from which country they expelled the Emims, the
original inhabitants, De 2:11 but they themselves were
afterward driven southward by the warlike Amorites, who had
crossed the Jordan, and were confined to the country south
of the river Arnon, which formed their northern boundary. Nu
21:13; Jud 11:18 The territory occupied by Moab at the
period of its greatest extent, before the invasion of the
Amorites, divided itself naturally into three distinct and
independent portions:-- (1) The enclosed corner or canton
south of the Arnon was the "field of Moab." Ru 1:1,2,6 etc.
(2) The more open rolling country north of the Arnon,
opposite Jericho, and up to the hills of Gilead, was the
"land of Moab." De 1:5; 32:49 etc. (3) The sunk district in
the tropical depths of the Jordan valley. Nu 22:1 etc. The
Israelites, in entering the promised land, did not pass
through the Moabites, Jud 11:18 but conquered the Amorites,
who occupied the country from which the Moabites had been so
lately expelled. After the conquest of Canaan the relations
of Moab with Israel were of a mixed character, sometimes
warlike and sometimes peaceable. With the tribe of Benjamin
they had at least one severe struggle, in union with their
kindred the Ammonites. Jud 3:12-30 The story of Ruth, on the
other hand, testifies to the existence of a friendly
intercourse between Moab and Bethlehem, one of the towns of
Judah. By his descent from Ruth, David may be said to have
had Moabite blood in his veins. He committed his parents to
the protection of the king of Moab, when hard pressed by
Saul. 1Sa 22:3,4 But here all friendly relations stop
forever. The next time the name is mentioned is in the
account of David's war, who made the Moabites tributary. 2Sa
8:2; 1Ch 18:2 At the disruption of the kingdom Moab seems to
have fallen to the northern realm. At the death of Ahab the
Moabites refused to pay tribute and asserted their
independence, making war upon the kingdom of Judah. 2Ch 22:1
... As a natural consequence of the late events, Israel,
Judah and Edom united in an attack on Moab, resulting in the
complete overthrow of the Moabites. Falling back into their
own country, they were followed and their cities and farms
destroyed. Finally, shut up within the walls of his own
capital, the king, Mesha, in the sight of the thousands who
covered the sides of that vast amphitheater, killed and
burnt his child as a propitiatory sacrifice to the cruel
gods of his country. Isaiah, chs. Isa 15,16,25:10-12
predicts the utter annihilation of the Moabites; and they
are frequently denounced by the subsequent prophets. For the
religion of the Moabites see CHEMOSH; MOLECH; PEOR.
See also Tristram's "Land of Moab." Present
condition. --(Noldeke says that the extinction of the
Moabites was about A.D. 200, at the time when the Yemen
tribes Galib and Gassara entered the eastern districts of
the Jordan. Since A.D. 536 the last trace of the name Moab,
which lingered in the town of Kir-moab, has given place to
Kerak, its modern name. Over the whole region are scattered
many ruins of ancient cities; and while the country is
almost bare of larger vegetation, it is still a rich
pasture-ground, with occasional fields of grain. The land
thus gives evidence of its former wealth and power. --ED.)http://www.bible-history.com/smiths/M/Moab/

Moab in the Bible Encyclopedia - ISBEmo'-ab, mo'-ab-its (Moab, mo'abh, Moabite Stone, M-'-B;
Greek (Septuagint) Moab, he Moabeitis, Moabitis; Moabite,
mo'abhi; Moabites, bene mo'abh):
1. The Land:
Moab was the district East of the Dead Sea, extending from a
point some distance North of it to its southern end. The
eastern boundary was indefinite, being the border of the
desert which is irregular. The length of the territory was
about 50 miles and the average width about 30. It is a high
tableland, averaging some 3,000 ft. above the level of the
Mediterranean and 4,300 ft. above that of the Dead Sea. The
aspect of the land, as one looks at it from the western side
of the Dead Sea, is that of a range of mountains with a very
precipitous frontage, but the elevation of this ridge above
the interior is very slight. Deep chasms lead down from the
tableland to the Dead Sea shore, the principal one being the
gorge of the river Arnon, which is about 1,700 ft. deep and
2 or more miles in width at the level of the tableland, but
very narrow at the bottom and with exceedingly precipitous
banks. About 13 miles back from the mouth of the river the
gorge divides, and farther back it subdivides, so that
several valleys are formed of diminishing depth as they
approach the desert border. These are referred to in Nu
21:14 as the "valleys of the Arnon." The "valley of Zered"
(Nu 21:12), which was on the southern border, drops down to
the southern end of the Dead Sea, and although not so long
or deep as the Arnon, is of the same nature in its lower
reaches, very difficult to cross, dividing into two
branches, but at a point much nearer the sea. The stream is
not so large as the Arnon, but is quite copious, even in
summer. These gorges have such precipitous sides that it
would be very difficult for an army to cross them, except in
their upper courses near the desert where they become
shallow. The Israelites passed them in that region, probably
along the present Hajj road and the line of the Mecca
Railway. The tableland is fertile but lacks water. The
fountains and streams in the valleys and on the slopes
toward the Dead Sea are abundant, but the uplands are almost
destitute of flowing water. The inhabitants supply
themselves by means of cisterns, many of which are ancient,
but many of those used in ancient times are ruined. The
population must have been far greater formerly than now. The
rainfall is usually sufficient to mature the crops, although
the rain falls in winter only. The fertility of the country
in ancient times is indicated by the numerous towns and
villages known to have existed there, mentioned in Scripture
and on the Moabite Stone, the latter giving some not found
elsewhere. The principal of these were: Ar (Nu 21:15);
Ataroth, Dibon, Jazer, Nimrah, Nebo (Nu 32:3); Beth-peor (Dt
3:29); Beth-diblaim, Bozrah, Kerioth (Jer 48:22-24); Kir
(Isa 15:1); Medeba, Elealeh, Zoar (Isa 15:2,4,5); Kirheres
(Isa 16:11); Sibmah (Josh 13:19); in all, some 45 place-
names in Moab are known, most of the towns being in ruins.
Kir of Moab is represented in the modern Kerak, the most
important of all and the government center of the district.
Madeba now represents the ancient Medeba, and has become
noted for the discovery of a medieval map of Israel, in
mosaic, of considerable archaeological value. Rabbath-moab
and Heshbon (modern Rabba and Hesban) are miserable
villages, and the country is subject to the raids of the
Bedouin tribes of the neighboring desert, which discourages
agriculture. But the land is still good pasture ground for
cattle and sheep, as in ancient times (Nu 32:3,4).
2. The People:
The Moabites were of Semitic stock and of kin to the
Hebrews, as is indicated by their descent from Lot, the
nephew of Abraham (Gen 19:30-37), and by their language
which is practically the same as the Hebrew. This is clear
from the inscription...http://www.bible-history.com/isbe/M/MOAB;+MOABITES/

Moab Scripture - 2 Chronicles 20:23For the children of Ammon and Moab stood up against the
inhabitants of mount Seir, utterly to slay and destroy [them]:
and when they had made an end of the inhabitants of Seir,
every one helped to destroy another. http://www.bible-history.com/kjv/2+Chronicles/20/

Moab Scripture - 2 Kings 3:13 And Elisha said unto the king of Israel, What have I to do
with thee? get thee to the prophets of thy father, and to the
prophets of thy mother. And the king of Israel said unto him,
Nay: for the LORD hath called these three kings together, to
deliver them into the hand of Moab. http://www.bible-history.com/kjv/2+Kings/3/

Moab Scripture - 2 Kings 3:4And Mesha king of Moab was a sheepmaster, and rendered unto
the king of Israel an hundred thousand lambs, and an hundred
thousand rams, with the wool. http://www.bible-history.com/kjv/2+Kings/3/

Moab Scripture - Jeremiah 27:3And send them to the king of Edom, and to the king of Moab,
and to the king of the Ammonites, and to the king of Tyrus,
and to the king of Zidon, by the hand of the messengers which
come to Jerusalem unto Zedekiah king of Judah; http://www.bible-history.com/kjv/Jeremiah/27/

Moab Scripture - Jeremiah 48:11 Moab hath been at ease from his youth, and he hath settled on
his lees, and hath not been emptied from vessel to vessel,
neither hath he gone into captivity: therefore his taste
remained in him, and his scent is not changed. http://www.bible-history.com/kjv/Jeremiah/48/

Moab Scripture - Jeremiah 48:36Therefore mine heart shall sound for Moab like pipes, and mine
heart shall sound like pipes for the men of Kirheres: because
the riches [that] he hath gotten are perished. http://www.bible-history.com/kjv/Jeremiah/48/

Moab Scripture - Judges 10:6 And the children of Israel did evil again in the sight of the
LORD, and served Baalim, and Ashtaroth, and the gods of Syria,
and the gods of Zidon, and the gods of Moab, and the gods of
the children of Ammon, and the gods of the Philistines, and
forsook the LORD, and served not him. http://www.bible-history.com/kjv/Judges/10/

Moab Scripture - Judges 11:17 Then Israel sent messengers unto the king of Edom, saying, Let
me, I pray thee, pass through thy land: but the king of Edom
would not hearken [thereto]. And in like manner they sent unto
the king of Moab: but he would not [consent]: and Israel abode
in Kadesh. http://www.bible-history.com/kjv/Judges/11/

Moab Scripture - Judges 3:12 And the children of Israel did evil again in the sight of the
LORD: and the LORD strengthened Eglon the king of Moab against
Israel, because they had done evil in the sight of the LORD. http://www.bible-history.com/kjv/Judges/3/

Moab Scripture - Judges 3:15But when the children of Israel cried unto the LORD, the LORD
raised them up a deliverer, Ehud the son of Gera, a Benjamite,
a man lefthanded: and by him the children of Israel sent a
present unto Eglon the king of Moab. http://www.bible-history.com/kjv/Judges/3/